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Everyone sweats — but some people sweat much more than others, especially in situations involving stress, heat, or physical activity.

Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, is a very common medical condition, affecting about 1 in 20 people, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. But many people don’t even know it’s something that can be diagnosed and treated — and therefore may not tell their doctor about it.

One reason? “It’s something that causes a lot of embarrassment,” according to Deepti Gupta, MD, a dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. “People usually don’t talk about it.”

Here are some important topics to discuss at your dermatologist appointment.

Where and When You’re Sweating

It’s important to let your dermatologist know how your excessive sweating affects you, starting with when it happens, and where on your body you experience the most sweat.

“As a physician, I really want my patients to tell me the locations and how it affects them,” says Dr. Gupta. “Start by saying, ‘I have excessive sweating in these areas’ and name what parts of your body are affected.”

Gupta notes that while hyperhidrosis often affects your underarms, it can also occur in your groin area, hands, and feet.

It’s also important to note situations in which your sweating becomes worse, such as being outside in hot weather or when you’re nervous. Also note whether it’s constant, or if it’s hard to predict when it will get worse.

Clothing Choices and Changes

Be sure to tell your doctor how your excessive sweating affects what you wear, and how often you change your clothes, says Gupta. She often sees patients who have hyperhidrosis who wear darker clothing, or who wear jackets or bulky clothing even in warm weather to help cover up sweat.

It’s possible that your wardrobe choices may contribute to your sweating, especially if you’re wearing heavier clothing to make your sweat less visible. But even if your clothing isn’t a contributing factor, your doctor will want a sense of how your condition affects what you choose to wear.

From there, you and your doctor can figure out the best ways to help manage your condition with your wardrobe choices — including which types of fabrics may help you manage your sweat and any goals you might have about being able to wear certain types of clothing without worrying about sweat.

Bathing, Showering, and Soaking

It’s important to discuss your showering and bathing habits with your dermatologist to help determine the best course of treatment.

For example, some people who deal with excessive sweat manage by showering frequently. Others regularly rinse or soak their hands or feet, either to keep them clean or to try to reduce sweating by cooling them, says Gupta.

“By putting hands in water excessively, you might actually be getting more skin breakdown or cracking,” she notes. “That might affect other symptoms you have.”

Frequent showering may remain part of your routine even if you start hyperhidrosis treatment — especially if you’re physically active. But if you’re considering using topical treatments to reduce sweat, you and your dermatologist will need to consider how your bathing habits may affect your treatment plan.

Remedies You’ve Tried Already

Your doctor will want to know what you’ve tried already — even if it’s just over-the-counter antiperspirants, says Gupta, as this discussion can also help determine what treatments might work for your hyperhidrosis going forward.

“If there are particular things that have been more effective for you, it’s good for your dermatologist to know,” she notes.

You should also mention any lotions or powders you’ve used to soak up sweat or reduce any smell associated with your sweating. If you start using a new topical treatment, your dermatologist may advise you stop your current approach.

And any dietary supplements you take — regardless of why you take them — are important for your dermatologist to know about, in case any prescribed hyperhidrosis treatments could interact with them.

Social and Psychological Concerns

Another important element to discuss? How your hyperhidrosis affects your life — especially if it’s causing any social anxiety.

Gupta notes that social effects can include shying away from shaking hands or hugging people, or even avoiding social activities due to embarrassment about your appearance.

For some people, it may be even more difficult to talk about the social impact of hyperhidrosis than its physical effects, but being open and honest with your doctor about how it’s affecting you as a whole can help you both determine what needs to change.

Just acknowledging that excessive sweating is a medical issue helps some people feel less embarrassed about it, says Gupta. “A lot of people feel like this is just who they are,” she says. “They don’t think of it as a medical condition.”

And getting effective treatment for hyperhidrosis has had major benefits for the emotional health of many of Gupta’s patients.

“Just like any medical condition, there are a lot of things we can do for hyperhidrosis,” she emphasizes. “It’s really about talking to your dermatologist and figuring out what makes sense for your lifestyle.”